Winter caravan to visit Somerset County

January 10, 2009

The Pittsburgh Pirates Winter Caravan is coming to Somerset County.

On Jan. 18, fans will have the opportunity to meet players Nate McLouth, Paul Maholm, Ryan Doumit, Sean Burnett, Ross Ohlendorf and Andy LaRoche, along with manager John Russell and third base coach Tony Beasley. In addition, broadcasters Greg Brown, Tim Neverett, Bob Walk and John Wehner will be attendance at Seven Springs Mountain Resort to begin the 2009 Caravan. Pirates President Frank Coonelly will also be appearing. The Caravan is a traveling “Hot Stove League” that will visit communities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland from Jan. 18-22 and Jan. 26-29 to meet with fans and build enthusiasm for the 2009 baseball season.

The Pirates’ visit to Somerset County will begin with a media session in Convention Hall at Seven Springs from 4 to 5 p.m. The Caravan’s stop in Somerset concludes with a free autograph session, games and live events open to the public at Convention Hall from 5 to 8 p.m.

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In addition to signing autographs, players will also take part in a Pirates version of the show Deal Or No Deal and go head-to-head with fans in the video game Guitar Hero. Pirates announcers will also conduct a Pirates trivia contest with fans in attendance at Convention Hall.

Other activities at Seven Springs will include a Pirates bounce inflatable for kids, chuck-a-luck wheel, face paint and caricaturist.

The Canonball Crew and the Pirate Parrot will also be on hand to entertain the crowd.

Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the Pirates Home Opener on April 13, against the Houston Astros.

Information on Pirates season ticket and 10-pack ticket plans will also be available.

“We look forward to visiting fans throughout the region and thanking them for their continued support of Pirates baseball,” said Pirates President Frank Coonelly. “This year’s Caravan will be an ambitious effort to reach as many fans as possible throughout the region. Our 30 visits to communities in our region will be the most ever.”

The Caravan will be take place this year in the week of Jan.18-22 leading up to PirateFest and the following week from Jan. 26-29. Now in its 19th year, PirateFest will once again take place at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh from Jan. 23-25.

The interactive three-day baseball carnival features free autograph sessions, youth baseball clinics, prizes, games and question and answer sessions with Pirates management and players and much more.